Self assembled graphene/carbon nanotube/polystyrene hybrid nanocomposite by in situ microemulsion polymerization

This paper reports a novel strategy for functionalizing graphene and MWCNT together with polymer nanoparticles using an in situ microemulsion technique. The resulting nanocomposites were used as filler in a host polystyrene matrix to form composite films. Self-assembled graphene/carbon nanotube (CNT)/polystyrene hybrid nanocomposites were prepared by water-based in situ microemulsion polymerization. The resulting nanocomposites were used as filler in a host polystyrene matrix to form composite films. An admixture of the two types of carbon fillers provided better improvement in the thermal and mechanical properties compared to the neat polymer. The sheet resistance decreased progressively due to the formation of an extended conjugation network with the CNT bridging the gap between the graphene sheets coated with polymer nanoparticles. The details of the analysis are presented.